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Banged-up Giants host Vikings

Nov 25, 2007 - 11:30 AM Minnesota (4-6) at NY Giants (7-3) 1:00 pm ESTEAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- The New York Giants maybe severely shorthanded at running back when they continue theirplayoff push.As the Giants prepare for Sunday's contest against theMinnesota, the status of Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward remainsuncertain.Jacobs, the team's leading rusher with 599 yards, injured hisleft hamstring in the third quarter of last week's 16-10 winover the Detroit Lions, while Ward has missed the last threegames with ankle and groin injuries.Jacobs and Ward have accounted for more than 80 percent of theGiants' rushing offense this season.If neither is able to play, it likely would mean more carriesfor Reuben Droughns, who rushed for only 13 yards on 11 attemptsafter replacing Jacobs last week."It went from a deep, strong position to a position now that hasa couple of injuries," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said of theconcerns in the backfield.New York also will be without linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka, whois out for the season after breaking his left leg against theLions.Still, the Giants (7-3) bounced back from their 31-20 loss tothe Dallas Cowboys two weeks ago to post a big win at Detroit.The victory left the Giants in a control of a playoff spot asthey own a two-game lead over the Arizona Cardinals and divisionrivals Washington and Philadelphia, who are all 5-5.The Vikings likely will again be without rookie Adrian Peterson,the NFL's leading rusher, who tore the lateral collateralligament in his right knee in a 34-0 loss at Green Bay.Peterson has not been ruled out of Sunday's game, but Vikingscoach Brad Childress told the Pioneer Press that he doesn'texpect to have him available."I'd say it's a long shot right now to get back there, but we'llsee," Childress said. "He's surprised me before."Chester Taylor filled in for Peterson last week and rushed for164 yards and three touchdowns in the Vikings' 29-22 victoryover the Oakland Raiders.